Nigeria Customs reaffirms commitment to paperless ports after strategic meeting with PEBEC
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to creating a fully paperless port environment, pledging to deepen digital reforms aimed at improving cargo clearance and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.
Adeniyi made the commitment on March 6, 2026, while receiving the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Zahrah Audu, during a high-level strategic meeting at the Customs House in Abuja.
According to the CGC, the collaboration between the two institutions is aimed at dismantling long-standing bureaucratic bottlenecks and integrating modern technology into port operations.
Adeniyi explained that the Customs Service has institutionalised regular consultations with stakeholder groups such as the American Business Council Nigeria and other trade associations to address operational challenges within the trade ecosystem.
“Such consultations allow the Service to identify operational bottlenecks and obtain direct feedback from businesses that interact with Customs at the nation’s ports,” he said.
The Customs chief also disclosed that the Service recently conducted a Time Release Study (TRS) in partnership with the World Customs Organization, using Tin Can Island Port in Lagos as a case study.
The study involved key stakeholders including shipping companies, terminal operators, the Nigerian Ports Authority, licensed customs agents and financial institutions. Its findings were compiled in a report publicly launched on January 26, 2026.
“We deliberately involved every segment of the port community so the findings would reflect the real operational environment. The report has already provided valuable insights guiding some of the reforms we are implementing,” Adeniyi said.
He added that while several concerns raised by stakeholders have already been addressed, others will continue to shape future reforms.
On the issue of 24-hour port operations, Adeniyi noted that such a system can only succeed with full participation from all players in the logistics chain.
“We once deployed officers to support round-the-clock port operations, but the effort faced challenges because other operators such as banks, shipping companies and terminal operators were not fully integrated,” he explained.
The CGC further highlighted ongoing investments in cargo scanning technology and ICT infrastructure, which are expected to strengthen risk-based cargo management and reduce reliance on physical inspections.
He noted that development partners including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization have encouraged Nigeria to expand the use of non-intrusive inspection technology in line with global best practices.
Earlier, PEBEC Director-General Zahrah Audu said the council is implementing a 90-day Business Environment Enhancement Programme to address operational challenges identified in its Business Facilitation Compliance Report released in November 2025.
She revealed that PEBEC recently conducted a three-day operational assessment at Lagos ports in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority, observing cargo-handling processes from vessel arrival to cargo exit while consulting widely with regulators and private-sector stakeholders.
“The exercise enabled us to identify key operational challenges affecting port efficiency and to develop practical recommendations for improvement,” Audu said.
Among the issues highlighted were the need for improved joint vessel boarding by regulatory agencies, better coordination of cargo inspections, and expanded use of digital technology in port operations.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, said vessel arrival schedules already provide sufficient information for operational planning.
“The concept of 24-hour port operations should focus on smarter deployment of personnel based on vessel schedules, not merely extending working hours,” she explained.
The Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade also highlighted several trade facilitation tools introduced by the Service to speed up cargo clearance for trusted traders. These include the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, Advance Ruling Systems, and a One-Stop-Shop platform, all designed to support the Federal Government’s goal of improving trade efficiency in Nigeria.
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